Improvement in the reduction of iron ores



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM S. COOKE, OF EAST FAIRFIELD, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN THE REDUCTION OF IRON ORES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 5,13l, dated May 29, 1H47.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM COOKE, of East Fairlield, in the county of Oolumbiana and State of Ohio, have invented an Improvement in the Manufacture of Iron, of which the following is a specification. v

The nature of myinvention consists in using steam in the form of a blast for the purpose of softening iron by introducing a jet of steam iuto cupola or furnace of the proper temperature, (about 300 either with or without air, depending on the kind of fuel used. The oxygen is absorbed by the fuel and supports combustion, and the hydrogen passes over the heated metal. The carbon of the metal unites with 6t and is burned in the form of carbureted hydrogen gas. By this processhard brittle v metal can be reduced to a soft malleable state, even without melting. If the casting is too brittle, the steam may be thrown on it while heated to a white heat, and it will have the desired effect.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to WVitnesses:

JAMES HARTMAN, JAMES H. UOOKE. 

